Challah at the Cornerstone

As newborn babes, long for pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow toward salvation---now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.  As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house---a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Messiah Yeshua.  For it says in Scripture, 

"Behold, I lay in Zion a stone,
a chosen, precious cornerstone.
Whoever trusts in Him
will never be put to shame."

--1 Peter: 2~6, cf. Isaiah 28:16

Sometimes I just have to take a challah outside and take a photograph.  This time Jacob`s blessing to Joseph with the words about God as the Shepherd and Stone, and daughters walking along the walls inspired me to take a picture of  the challah at the cornerstone.  It was also another way to express the connection between Joseph to  Yeshua, the Cornerstone,  foundation and Bread of life.  It was exciting to walk along the walls on a windy yet clear brisk morning, and connect to the words, thinking of the blessing,  as I tried to set up the picture.  With the wind, it was a little hard to get the challah to stay upright for the pose, and I had to move quickly, but I was able to get a few pictures at the spot.

I also discovered that Cherry Blossoms tenugui make a very good challah cover.  The long narrow rectangle shape cloth is perfect for challah.  Tenugui are Japanese hand towels, also used for wrapping gifts or `o-bento` (lunch boxes), and even for decorative hangings.  They come in all different seasonal patterns and I couldn`t resist the cherry blossoms designs in this season as we approach the coming of spring.  Expectation in the air.

Blessings and stay tuned for a few more posts from this week, a little more adventure with the challah and sharing the Bread of Life this Shabbat!!!

A fruitful son is Joseph,

a fruitful son beside a spring--

daughters walk along a wall.

The archers were bitter and shot arrows

and were hostile towards him.

Yet his bow was always filled, 

and his arms quick-moving---

by the hands of the Mighty One

of Jacob.

From there a Shepherd,

the Stone of Israel,

from the God of your father

who helps you,

and Shadddai who blesses you,

with blessings of heavens above,

blessings of the deep that lies below,

blessings of breasts and womb.

---Genesis 49:22~25, from Jacob`s blessing to Joseph